Jaclyn Fontecchio

Program Integrator

Soldier Protection & Survivability Directorate

Jaclyn.m.Fontecchio.civ@mail.mil

NOV 2017

Natick Soldier Research, 

Development and Engineering 

Center

Army Research Opportunities 

Overview for JAPBI

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NSRDEC Vision and Mission

The Soldier’s RDEC – Ensuring 

dominance through superior 

scientific and engineering 

expertise

Vision

Providing the Army with 

innovative science and 

technology solutions to 

optimize the performance 

of our Soldiers. 

Mission

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Mission Areas

Soldier and Squad 

Performance Optimization

Expeditionary Maneuver 

Support

DoD Combat Feeding Warfighter Protection

Airdrop and Aerial Delivery

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B&B Goals

T5. By 2019, Army S&T will demonstrate the viability of establishing correlations between quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties

for advanced engineered ceramics, composites and textile based armor platforms and architectures and ballistic performance. These

correlations should relate material properties such as hardness for ceramics, and strength, stiffness and tenacity for fiber systems to

ballistic performance including penetration velocities, and back face deformation. The purpose of this goal is to identify the material

properties that must be improved to further reduce the weight of armor systems.

H1. By 2019, Army S&T will deliver survivability criteria and test methodology for ballistic induced behind helmet blunt trauma to develop

injury based performance criteria for combat helmets. The purpose of this goal is to have a medically based criteria for helmet

acceptance.

H2. By 2019 deliver injury curves for acute cervical spine injuries associated with head supported mass. By 2022 deliver injury curves for

chronic cervical spine injuries associated with head supported mass. The purpose of these goals is to have a medically based criteria for

helmet weight.

T3. By 2019, Army S&T will develop prototype armor designs with no greater than a 20% increase in areal density to defeat emerging

small arms threats. This research area includes foreign exploitation as well as domestically produced advanced next generation kinetic

threats. The purpose is to demonstrate armors that defeat potential threats and continually inform the community of the trade space

between protection levels and armor system weight.

E7, T2, S9, and H3 (combined). By 2021, Army S&T will deliver a standardized blast test methodology for dismounted personnel subject

to air bursting or buried explosive threats correlated to Soldier injury. The methodologies will be traceable to operationally relevant

threats and injury criteria for blast overpressure.

S1. By 2021, Army S&T will deliver threat based protection requirements for ballistic and blast loading to the eyes and ears. These

requirements will be linked to expected battlefield threats and injury data.

S6. By 2021, Army S&T will develop vision protection technology that will not fog in any combat environment (hot, cold, wet).

T13. By 2030, Army S&T will develop squad-level active protection for small arms threats. The purpose of this goal is to off-load the

protection from the individual Soldiers to a squad-level asset such as a robotic vehicle. While this is a long term goal, it will require

immediate research in novel defeat mechanisms and sensing technology.
Area Time Frame Description

Signature Management Far Non-traditional approaches are required.

Requirements/threat space analysis

Test Methodology 

Development

Mid Development of reliable, repeatable, cost effective, validated test methods. Objective – correlated to operational threats and 

probability of injury & predictive operational life span test method; Threshold – relative test methodology

Multi-functional materials Far Inherent functionalities engineered into flexible substrates. e.g. signature management, flame resistance, durability, moisture 

and temperature regulation, etc. Focus is to reduce size, weight, bulk and stiffness of OCIE.

Systems Integration Mid Assessing entire Soldier system (human + equipment), the intended capability and functionalizing materials and 

configurations strategically to maximize efficiencies.

Personal Water Filtration Mid Desalination, TIC/TIM, individual capability, lightweight, durable, remaining operational life indicator

Responsive/Adaptive 

Materials

Far Materials that respond to physical stimuli whether environmental or physiological to provide capabilities such as sensing, 

physical augmentation, heat, cold, threat detection.

Flame Resistance Near Materials development, test standardization, requirements analysis

Vector Protection Near Durability, alternative chemistries, longer lasting (e.g. abrasion, laundering, volatility), requirements analysis

Environmental Protection Near Extreme climate protection

IP Cop Top Ten List (Last updated 8/15/2017)

IP Goals

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• Used to identify the maturity of a technology, component or system

• Drives types of funds that can be spent on research and acquisition

• Software-, Engineering-, and Manufacturing Readiness Levels similar

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Technology Readiness Levels

TRL Definition Description BA

1 Basic principles observed 

and reported.

Lowest level of technology readiness. Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research and 

development. Examples might include paper studies of a technology’s basic properties. 6.1

2 Technology concept and/or 

application formulated.

Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. Applications are 

speculative and there may be no proof or detailed analysis to support the assumptions. Examples are limited to 

analytic studies.

6.2 3 Analytical and experimental 

critical function and/or 

characteristic proof of 

concept.

Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and laboratory studies to physically 

validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology. Examples include components that are not 

yet integrated or representative.

4 Component and/or 

breadboard validation in 

laboratory environment.

Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. This is relatively “low 

fidelity” compared to the eventual system. Examples include integration of “ad hoc” hardware in the laboratory.

6.3 5 Component and/or 

breadboard validation in 

relevant environment.

Fidelity of breadboard technology increases significantly. The basic technological components are integrated with 

reasonably realistic supporting elements so it can be tested in a simulated environment. Examples include “high 

fidelity” laboratory integration of components.

6 System/subsystem model 

or prototype demonstration 

in a relevant environment.

Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant 

environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a 

prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in simulated operational environment.

6.4

6.5

7 System prototype 

demonstration in an 

operational environment.

Prototype near, or at, planned operational system. Represents a major step up from TRL 6, requiring 

demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment such as an aircraft, vehicle, or space. 

Examples include testing the prototype in a test bed aircraft.

8 Actual system completed 

and qualified through test 

and demonstration.

Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, this TRL 

represents the end of true system development. Examples include developmental test and evaluation of the 

system in its intended weapon system to determine if it meets design specifications.

9 Actual system proven 

through successful mission 

operations.

Actual application of the technology in its final form and under mission conditions, such as those encountered in 

Product Manager

operational test and evaluation. Examples include using the system under operational mission conditions.

RD&ECs/Lab
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Technology Transfer Mechanisms

Flexibility through non-funded federal partnering agreements

•One or more federal laboratories working with one or more 

non-federal partner(s) toward a common R&D objective.

Cooperative Research 

and Development 

Agreements (CRADAs)

•Straight fee-for-service testing, not a collaborative effort.

•Customer owns all test data, Gov’t release is prohibited

Testing Service 

Agreements (TSA)

•Non-exclusive, partially exclusive, or exclusive. Patent License 

Agreements (PLAs)

•For the purpose of encouraging and enhancing study in 

scientific disciplines at all levels of education.

Educational Partnership 

Agreement (EPA)
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Cooperative Research and 

Development Agreements (CRADA)

Presumes alignment of government and 

commercial/academic technical objectives

•Each party retains ownership of solely invented IP and joint inventions 

will be jointly owned.

• Non-federal partners can provide personnel, services, facilities, 

equipment, and $$$’s.

• Federal partners can provide personnel, services, facilities, equipment, 

but no $$$’s to non-federal partners.

•Federal government retains a non-exclusive license to all IP arising 

under the CRADA, for use by or on behalf of the government.

•Government agrees to negotiate a royalty bearing exclusive license to 

government owned IP arising under the CRADA.
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Testing Service Agreements

Unique federal laboratory facilities/capabilities are available 

to the private sector for testing purposes

• The purchaser retains sole ownership of the test results and the 

government is prohibited from disclosing data to third parties.

• Cost to the purchaser is equal to the laboratory’s cost to provide the 

service.

• A Testing Service Agreement (TSA) is a simple two party agreement that 

can be turned around in a few days.

• The government does not derive any rights in or to the purchaser’s 

Intellectual Property. 

• The government is prohibited from directly competing with private 

testing service companies.
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Cooperative Agreement

Funding Opportunity

• Public Benefit

• Substantial involvement is expected between 

the agency and the recipient

• Funding Agreement

• Rigid Patent Rights

Cooperative 

Agreement (CA)

Under a Cooperative Agreement, a principle purpose is to 

transfer a thing of value to the recipient to carry out a public 

purpose of support or stimulation authorized by law of the 

U.S. instead of acquiring property or services for the direct 

benefit or use of the U.S. government
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Opportunities for Funded Contracts

BAA and Unsolicited Proposals must comply with the FAR 

but still provide the offeror with more flexibility than a 

typical contract solicitation.

• The BAA is an open solicitation for proposals.

• It is funded to fulfill requirements for scientific study and 

experimentation.

• The BAA does not focus on specific systems or hardware.

• The solicitation is divided into topic groups that are of interest to the 

sponsoring lab and identifies a POC for that area.

Broad Agency 

Announcement 

(BAA)

• Innovative and unique;

• Independently originated and developed by the offeror;

• Prepared without Government endorsement or involvement;

• Include sufficient detail to permit a proper evaluation;

• Not be an advance proposal for a known agency requirement;

• Not address a previously published agency requirement.

Unsolicited Proposals 

(UP)

BAAs and UPs are always subject to availability of 

appropriate agency research funds (usually 6.3) in 

a fiscal year
C. Warfighter Systems Technologies

1. Ballistic Protection for Individuals

2. Integrated Protective Headborne Equipment 

and Injury Diagnostic/Assessment Tools

3. Modular Personal Protection Equipment 

(MPPE) and Injury Diagnostic Assessment 

Tools

4. Chemical/Biological Protection for Individuals

5. Flame and Thermal Protection for the 

Individual Soldier

6. Biotechnology

7. Countersurveillance

8. Body Worn Interactive Materials

9. Body-Worn Systems, Hand Held Devices, and 

Smart-Lightweight Electronic Components/ 

Modules for Soldier Protection, Knowledge 

Management and Cognitive Improvement

10. Biomechanics

11. Materials Nanotechnology

12. Anthropometry

13. Advanced Protection, 

Integration Technologies/

Systems and Assessment 

Methods

14. Warrior Performance

15. Soldier Power Sources, Power & 

Data Distribution and Management

16. Future Warrior Technology Integration

17. Technology Assessment and Simulation 

Tools

18. Ecological Approach to Warfighter 

Survivability; Perception-Action-Cognition

19. Tactical Medical Equipment and Systems

20. Integrated Sound, Light and Blast 

Management for the Ears and Eyes

21. Soldier Centric Information Portrayal & 

Management Technologies

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NSRDEC BAA

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Additional Information and POCs for 

each area are listed in the BAA
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•http://www.fbo.gov

•Search W911QY-R-15-0016

Federal Business Opportunities 

(FedBizOps or FBO)

Testing Facilities and Equipment •http://nsrdec.natick.army.mil/media/print/Facilities&Equipment_Web.pdf
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NSRDEC BOTAA

This Solicitation provides an opportunity for nontraditional defense contractors to work with the NSRDEC 

on mission enhancing prototypes. This new form of contracting vehicle is Non-FAR Based and can be 

utilized for rapid prototype development.

What is considered a prototype project? A prototype project can generally be described as a preliminary pilot, test, 

evaluation, demonstration, or agile development activity used to evaluate the technical or manufacturing feasibility or 

military utility of a particular technology, process, concept, end item, effect, or other discrete feature. Prototype projects 

may include systems, subsystems, components, materials, methodology, technology, or processes. 

What is a non-traditional defense contractor? as per 10 USC 2302(9) this is an entity

that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the solicitation of sources 

by the Department of Defense for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the Department of 

Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 

and the regulations implementing such section.

What does Non-FAR Based Agreement mean? The resultant award of any OTA using the procedures under NSRDEC 

BOTAA are NOT made or issued under the provisions of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-369), FAR 

Part 6 or any other FAR based regulation. However, the information provided in the BOTAA is intended to ensure 

competitive procedures are used to the maximum extent practicable when entering into agreements to carry out these 

prototype projects.

http://www3.natick.army.mil/NSRDEC-BOTAA.aspx
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Questions?